Chelsea 0-0 Reds: The unexpected point.

I was certain that it would be just another defeat at Stamford Bridge today. For the first half hour everything was going as it usually when we visit the blue half of West London. We play well, have the better chances but the expected flukey Chelsea goal never game and it was pleasing to see us continue to have the better of the play and the better chances throughout the game.

More confidence and a bit more quality from some players and we probably could have nicked it. A point in the circumstances - with Everton and Manchester City both winning this weekend - is not ideal but any points at Stamford Bridge are a rare commodity so this one is welcome. As the old saying goes, we would have taken 0-0 beforehand.

Their first half penalty shout was a legitimate one but then there have been at least five legitimate penalties that we have not been awarded against the Blues in the last four years so we were due a slice of luck. The offender, Javier Mascherano, otherwise had another excellent game in midfield as did Lucas Leiva.

Martin Skrtel was very good at centre half alongside the equally exemplary Jamie Carragher and the Slovak is improving with each game he plays and the more English he learns as Benitez pointed out post match.

Stevie Gerrard's had better games. He's been off the boil of late and was not at his marauding best today. He excelled for England during the week in the No.10 position (reflected in his unusual shirt number on the night). Despite playing in what I thought was a similar role today the result wasn't as effective but form is temporary and all that....

Kuyt and Crouch in attack wasn't effective from the point of view of goal scoring but it didn't fail miserably. Kuyt continues to get in positions that see him unlikely to ever score. He does the donkey work but sometimes you just wish he wouldn't. Put yourself in the box lad! Get a goal and more will follow. Kuyt's a quality player from what we saw at Feyenoord and at stages last season. He needs to start showing it.

The league is now put on the backburner as we concentrate on our two best chances of silverware this season. Two very different sides visit Anfield in the next few days. On Saturday it's Barnsley in the FA Cup and the following Tuesday, Inter Milan, possibly the best side in Europe at present, in the Champions League.

We've strung together two decent results and should have Torres back. All of which makes us all a little more optimistic heading into another important phase of the season.